It’s not groundbreaking news since a deal’s been rumored for several days but TNT has made a deal to pick up NBC’s cancelled drama, Southland. Unfortunately, the news isn’t as great as one might hope.
The Los Angeles-based cop drama revolves around a group of officers from the LAPD. The Southland cast includes Benjamin McKenzie, Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, Emily Bergl, Patrick Fischler, Lex Medlin, C. Thomas Howell, Emily Swallow, Carla Jeffery, Lori Alan, and Roxana Brusso.
Southland ran for seven episodes last spring on NBC. The show had a decent start but the numbers started to fade as the weeks progressed. That decline seemed to coincide with NBC’s decision to order another season.
Last month, with The Jay Leno Show filling the network’s 10pm timeslot, NBC decided to cancel the series before it returned. Part of their reasoning was that Southland felt too dark for the network’s earlier hours.
Production on Southland’s second season was shut down after six episodes and NBC would reportedly have to pay hefty cancellation fees for not following through on their 13 episode order.
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Series co-executive producer John Wells immediately said that he would try to find a new home for series. Speculation immediately turned to the TNT cable channel. Warner Bros. TV produces the cop drama and TNT is owned by Turner. Both fall under the Time Warner corporate umbrella.
Rumors were that NBC was holding up the deal but it seems that terms have now been worked out. TNT has bought the rights to air both the original seven episodes from season one as well as the six unaired installments from season two.
Of the pickup, Wells said, “We’re delighted that TNT has stepped forward to pick up Southland. We are all extremely proud of the show.”
As expected, the news isn’t as rosey as fans might have liked. TNT hasn’t said anything about putting the show back into production, only that they’ll be airing the already-produced episodes.
Southland will start airing on TNT on January 12th at 10pm (coincidentally opposite Jay Leno). The cable channel will take a wait-and-see approach before deciding if they want to produce more. If the ratings don’t meet their expectations, fans will surely be left with a whole lot of unresolved storylines.
What do you think? Are you just happy that TNT picked up the series or are you concerned that there won’t be any more episodes?
Image courtesy Warner Bros.
[…] NBC cancelled Southland a few years ago, who would have ever thought that the series would survive to see a fifth season? Today, TNT renewed the cop show for season five with a 10 episode order. The […]
One of the best shows on television. My husband and I, as well as our exended family, hope to see it come back for many more seasons!
I agree with all the above – love the characters and think it is a great great show. Give us more, please!!!
Please renew Southland
One word: Triumphant
Southland is the best thing on t.v. PLEASE continue the series.
im concerned that theres not gonna be any new episodes and i just bought the season 1 dvd. they just need to get the word out there get all the channels with ads.
This is one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time.
Way to go TNT! Make more episodes!! This show has heart, grit, and really made me care about the characters!
I was a fan of Southlands first show out and now Jay Leno? Ohhh pleaseeeee!!!
Send the series up here to Canada, we like it warts and alll. Even some good swearing works with us Canucks. We don’t have to say it under our breath.
Man, this is the second cop show to hit the crapper is less than two years.
Have a good one ehhhhh
doug
My wife and I were sadly disappointed at the news that Southland would not be renewed. We are thrilled that such a wonderful real-life dramatic show concerning city life will be brought back by TNT. Of course we are hopeful that the show will continue beyond the six new episodes, especially if it replaces the dreadful Jay Leno Show. Television dramas for thinking viewers who appreciate real life have too often been cancelled for silly, unfunny sit-coms and it is to TNT’s credit that they are making a correct committment.
Dr. Alex Szabo